Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has cautioned the Nigerian Senate against rushing legislative amendments, warning that poorly scrutinised laws could threaten democratic governance and encourage authoritarian tendencies.

Oshiomhole made the remarks during an interview with Arise News while reacting to the recent controversy surrounding amendments to the Senate standing rules.

According to the former Edo State governor, hurried legislative actions increase the risk of passing laws that conflict with existing statutes and even the Nigerian Constitution.

‘We Must Not Rush in Making Laws’

Speaking during the interview, Oshiomhole stressed that every section of a bill or amendment requires careful scrutiny before passage.

“My view is, we must not rush in making laws. Every clause, every word, is beneficial scrutiny,” he said.

He warned that excessive haste in the lawmaking process had previously resulted in embarrassing mistakes by lawmakers.

“So rushing, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam. At the end of the day, we have made a couple of mistakes a couple of times,” he added.

The senator further explained that some laws passed in haste had conflicted with already existing legislation enacted by the National Assembly, while others contradicted provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

According to him, proper debate and detailed review remain the only effective ways to prevent such avoidable errors.

Calls for Proper Legislative Scrutiny

Oshiomhole also argued that senators should always receive advance copies of proposed legislation and amendments before deliberations during plenary sessions.

He maintained that lawmakers can only contribute meaningfully when they have enough time to study documents thoroughly.

“Anything you want to do, whether it is rule-changing or law-making, it is important that senators have the benefit of advanced copies. Read it, study it, that is what we are supposed to have,” he stated.

The senator further criticised the handling of his attempt to raise a point of order during plenary, which reportedly resulted in a disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

According to Oshiomhole, Senate procedures were not properly followed while the amendments were being considered.

“So I raised that point of order, and he declined to allow me to raise it,” he said.

Senate ‘Humiliated’ by Rule Reversal

The Edo North lawmaker stated that the Senate was eventually forced to reverse parts of the controversial amendments after it became clear that certain provisions conflicted with constitutional requirements.

“As you can see, there is no better evidence of the danger of rushing than the fact that the Senate has to go through the humiliation of revising itself that it has made laws or rules that are in conflict with the Nigerian Constitution,” he stated.

Oshiomhole warned against changing laws or Senate rules in ways that target specific individuals or influence future leadership contests within the National Assembly.

According to him, such actions could weaken democratic institutions and pave the way for dictatorship.

“You don’t make law either for yourself, or make law against specific individuals that you fear will come. That is the beginning of the road to life presidency and dictatorship,” he warned.

Leadership Should Be Based on Support, Not Restrictions

The senator concluded by insisting that leadership positions within the National Assembly should be determined by the confidence and support of lawmakers rather than restrictive eligibility conditions.

He stressed that his opposition to the amendments was driven by principle and the need to preserve the integrity of the legislature, not personal political interests.

“What you need is to have the support and the backing of your colleague. Simple,” Oshiomhole added.